By Olukorede Yishau
SOME DAYS back, I had the privilege of reading a soon-to-be-released book that clearly shows that every child carries a world within them, a constellation of thoughts, dreams, and rhythms that no two eyes can fully measure.
The book brings to light the fact that some worlds shine boldly, easily seen in laughter, in words spoken without hesitation, in leaps and runs across open spaces while others glimmer quietly, their brilliance hidden in pauses, in gestures, in victories that seem small but are nothing short of extraordinary.
This book is titled ‘Different By Design’. Its author, Bukola Olajide, is a trained communicator, special educator and fashion designer. She is unashamedly a Jesus baby, a fact that shows in the book, but doesn’t overshadow the truths about children with special needs.
The book is a call to see the unseen, to honour the unheard, to celebrate the subtle miracles of each child’s mind and heart. In the book, we are told to see ordinary moments as classrooms, and seemingly ordinary acts as exercises in independence and discovery.
The book shows that to walk alongside these children is to learn anew what it means to nurture, to teach, and to marvel. They invite us into landscapes where possibility is limitless, where difference is not a barrier but a spark, and where the smallest gestures can illuminate the vastness of human potential.
Though Olajide’s Christian ties show on every chapter of this work, she, however, emphasizes practical and theoretical guides that parents and caregivers are bound to find useful.
From the very beginning, Olajide asserts that every child is unique and that understanding this uniqueness is foundational to effective learning.
The opening chapter sets the tone by emphasizing the diversity of cognitive development, urging parents and educators to shift from a deficit-focused mindset toward one that identifies and nurtures individual strengths. It challenges conventional comparisons, asking not
“Why can’t my child learn like others?” but rather “How can I help my child learn in the way that works best for them?” This pivot from judgment to curiosity forms the backbone of the book’s approach.
Olajide grounds these principles in both psychological theory and real-life examples, demonstrating that early recognition of developmental differences can radically alter a child’s learning journey.
Through accessible language and concrete anecdotes, readers are guided to see learning differences not as barriers but as invitations for creativity, patience, and intentional support.
The book also addresses the emotional and social dimensions of learning, highlighting how children’s confidence, motivation, and engagement are inseparable from their sense of being understood and valued.
This intersection of empathy and pedagogy makes the work both a manual and a manifesto for parents, educators, and communities alike.
Building on this foundation, Olajide moves into the specifics of raising children with disabilities, emphasizing that while all children benefit from love and structure, for those with special needs these elements become essential.
A nurturing environment at home and in learning spaces offers the stability that allows children to feel safe and capable.
The text stresses the critical importance of early intervention, urging parents not to delay diagnosis or shy away from professional guidance due to fear or shame.
Timely recognition of developmental differences, paired with consistent support, can unlock potential that might otherwise remain dormant.
Olajide argues convincingly that no child should be ridiculed or limited because of their struggles; instead, patience, creativity, and understanding should guide their development.
Practical guidance is a hallmark of this work. Olajide provides structured, home-based strategies for supporting children with diverse learning differences, demonstrating that daily life can become a rich environment for growth.
Predictable routines, visual schedules, and stepwise instructions reduce anxiety while reinforcing skills. Celebrating small wins, whether a new word, a completed puzzle, or a chore accomplished independently, builds confidence and resilience.
Through real-life examples, such as an autistic boy in Abuja who developed language, math skills, and independence through meal preparation with his mother, Olajide shows how ordinary activities can become powerful learning opportunities.
The text provides condition-specific guidance with remarkable clarity. Children with cerebral palsy benefit from activities that strengthen muscles and coordination, such as balloon play, crawling exercises, and stretching routines.
Those with Down syndrome can develop motor and cognitive skills through repetition, imitation, and structured play like dancing, flashcards, and playdough exercises.
Strategies for children on the autism spectrum include picture exchange communication, sensory bins, pretend play, and calm corners that offer a retreat when overstimulated.
ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia are addressed through highly practical home interventions, often using simple, low-cost materials.
These strategies underscore Olajide’s insistence that meaningful learning extends beyond therapy centers into the everyday interactions and routines of home life.
Yet the book extends beyond purely academic or motor skills. Emotional regulation, problem-solving, sensory integration, and social skills are treated as essential elements of child development.
Children who struggle to articulate feelings are taught to recognize and name emotions using tools like emotion charts, storybooks, and calming strategies. Problem-solving is scaffolded through small-step instructions and role-playing, fostering independence and a growth mindset.
Sensory challenges common across many developmental differences are addressed with environmental adjustments, such as dimmed lights, soft fabrics, and structured sensory breaks. Social interactions are gradually introduced, emphasizing turn-taking, polite communication, and cooperative play.
Importantly, Olajide underscores self-advocacy, encouraging children to express needs, request support, and make choices, thereby cultivating autonomy and resilience.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its focus on strength-based learning. Too often, attention is focused on what children cannot do, leaving their talents overlooked.
Olajide presents numerous examples of children who, despite significant challenges, excelled in areas like storytelling, drawing, or architecture.
These stories reinforce the idea that success is built upon identifying and nurturing strengths, allowing children to experience achievement and build the confidence necessary to tackle more challenging skills.
The book also emphasizes that parents are not alone in this journey; a strong support network of teachers, therapists, community members, and fellow parents is vital for fostering consistency, encouragement, and shared expertise.
The work does not shy away from addressing the realities of parenting children with disabilities, particularly within the Nigerian context.
The financial, emotional, and social burdens are acknowledged, yet Olajide reassures readers that meaningful progress is achievable through daily engagement and creative adaptation.
Weekly routines are presented as practical tools, demonstrating how to structure vocabulary games, math exercises, life skills training, sensory play, and social interaction in ways that are consistent yet flexible.
For example, children with dyslexia can practise reading through sand tracing, audiobooks, and storytelling.
Those with dysgraphia can develop handwriting and composition skills through play-based fine motor activities. Children with dyscalculia learn math concepts through counting beans, clapping rhythms, and interactive games like Snakes and Ladders.
These examples illustrate a central thesis of the book: when interventions are embedded in daily life, learning becomes both meaningful and enjoyable.
‘Different by Design’ succeeds not only as a practical guide but also as a compassionate philosophy of education. Olajide insists that children with learning differences are not defined by deficits but by potential.
Their unique wiring, while sometimes challenging, opens doors to innovative approaches, personalised interventions, and unrecognised talents.
Her insistence on patience, observation, and strength-based guidance equips parents and educators to foster an environment where children are empowered to flourish. Real-world anecdotes, combined with structured advice, provide both inspiration and actionable strategies, making the book a rare blend of theory, empathy, and practicality.
The book has a very important chapter, a proof that special needs children are not doomed. This chapter chronicles the lives of living and dead inventors and achievers who grew up with learning disabilities.
The presentation of their struggles adds heft to the book’s allure.
My final take: Children with special needs inhabit quieter constellations. Their paths through the world are rarely straight, often winding, sometimes obscured by the judgments of others.
Yet in their way of being lies a profound truth: that learning, growing, and living cannot be confined to one template. Every glance, every sound, every movement becomes a language, every struggle a lesson in patience, every triumph a quiet revolution.
Quote
Children with special needs inhabit quieter constellations. Their paths through the world are rarely straight, often winding, sometimes obscured by the judgments of others
